Medwave, Inc. announced that Northeast Health System of Gainesville, Georgia has recently acquired Medwave's non-invasive blood pressure monitoring technology for its W.D. Stribling Heart Center, which opened in January 2003. Medwave's technology will be used in the cardiac stress lab environment where accuracy in blood pressure monitoring is required.

Medwave's technology was compared to other conventional blood pressure cuff based systems, and the clinical staff determined that the Vasotrac performed in a superior manner in regards to comfort and accuracy.

Northeast Georgia Health System, a 418 bed inpatient center which offers services in cancer treatment, cardiology, mental health, physical rehabilitation, and a women's services center, is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for the people of Northeast Georgia.

Barbara Burk, Nursing Supervisor for the Cardiology Lab at Northeast Health System had the following observations: “We evaluated numerous blood pressure monitors, and part of our criteria was that they had to perform in our Cardiac Stress Lab accommodating a wide range of patient sizes while providing maximum comfort. The Medwave Vasotrac allowed us to obtain accurate and frequent blood pressure readings, even while patients were in motion, such as on a treadmill. We found the Vasotrac to be very flexible regarding the varying size of patients, which often times will present a challenge for conventional cuff products. We are a state of the art facility and feel as though we have purchased the most state of the art blood pressure technology in the Vasotrac Monitor.”

Tim O'Malley, President and CEO of Medwave states, “We are very happy to add Northeast Health System to our growing list of satisfied users of our technology. The clinical users at Northeast Health System did an evaluation of our technology, and were very pleased with the performance. Their ultimate vote of confidence came in the form of an order for our products. Over the past several months, we have introduced features to our technology, such as pediatric capability, High Motion Tolerance, and the ability to interface our Vasotrac into other larger patient monitoring systems. Medwave has been reporting on leading centers that have acquired our technology as a direct result of these features. We are selling our technologies into areas such as emergency medicine, operating rooms, cardiology, critical care, and various environments within pediatric care. We have received numerous reports from clinicians about the challenges they face in monitoring patients with conventional blood pressure cuffs, and in some cases with invasive arterial catheters, and we are dedicated to offering them a more accurate, frequent, and comfortable solution.”

There have been several studies completed that have compared the accuracy and comfort levels of the Vasotrac to other blood pressure monitoring methods. In all situations, the Vasotrac has been found to be substantially more comfortable than a blood pressure cuff, while offering comparable accuracy to an invasive arterial catheter. Medwave technology is already installed in over 500 hospitals and clinics worldwide.